Does Europcar require an IDP in Italy?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Italy: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for non-EU and non-Latin-alphabet licences across its European network. Europe's leading mobility brand.
Rental companies and local authorities in Italy routinely ask non-EU drivers to carry an IDP alongside their home licence.
In Italy specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Italy ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Italian traffic authorities typically expect the printed IDP booklet, not just a digital copy.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Italy desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Italy drives on the right, uses the EUR, and sets a minimum driving age of 18, so an IDP is the document that removes any doubt at the counter.
What to bring to the Europcar counter in Italy
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the EUR deposit; Italy drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Italy Europcar renters should know
- ZTL (limited-traffic) zones in city centres are camera-enforced — heavy fines.
- Headlights required on motorways at all times.
- Carry a reflective jacket and warning triangle.
- 0.05% alcohol limit; zero for drivers under 21.
Europcar's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Europcar's typical minimum rental age is 21 (some categories and countries allow rental from 18 on selected vehicles), and a Young Driver Surcharge applies to drivers aged roughly 22 to 25 - published at around EUR 30 per day in addition to the rental cost, with the exact amount varying by country per the local Specific Terms.
Europcar accepts only a credit card in the main driver's name (valid with an expiry date after the scheduled return) for the deposit; the deposit amount is blocked - not debited - on the card at pick-up, or within 48 hours before pick-up for Online Check-In, and debit cards are generally not accepted for the security deposit.
Only drivers registered on the rental contract may drive the car, and each additional driver must meet the same age and licence-held requirements; an additional-driver fee typically applies and is set per country. The driver must have held a full valid driving licence for at least one year (the from-18 categories also require one year's licence holding).
Cross-border travel must be declared and authorised, and in the UK taking a vehicle abroad requires the mandatory Europdrive product (24/7 overseas breakdown cover plus VE103B proof of ownership and a Green Card); for one-way rentals a one-way fee is charged and is included in the displayed price when pickup and return locations differ.
Europcar requires a full valid licence held at least one year; if the licence is not written in English (or the language of the country of rental) the driver must present an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the original national licence - this typically applies to non-Roman/non-Latin-alphabet licences, while an IDP is usually not required to drive within the EU.
Once you collect the keys in Italy
Most autostrade are tolled by distance: take a ticket at the white-signed entry and pay on exit by cash or card (Carte/blue lanes) or via a Telepass transponder in yellow lanes. Use Telepass lanes only if your rental includes the device; a Milan-Rome run costs roughly EUR 40-45.
Kerb lines signal the rule: blue lines are paid (meter or app, often EUR 1-3/hour), white lines are free, and yellow lines are reserved (residents/disabled). Pay at the parcometro or via apps like EasyPark; illegal parking risks fines and removal (rimozione forzata) by carro attrezzi.
Urban speeding fines start around EUR 45 and rise steeply on highways; handheld phone use is roughly EUR 165+ and can mean a licence suspension. Camera and ZTL fines arrive at the rental firm and are billed to you months later with an admin fee; a ~30% discount applies if paid within 5 days.
Call 112 for emergencies; police must be alerted if anyone is injured. For minor damage complete the CID/constatazione amichevole (European Accident Statement) signed by both drivers, photograph the scene, do not move vehicles if there are injuries, and report it to the rental company promptly.
Full driving guide for Italy →